Remarrying Chun Yuan

Ten thousand taels of gold?

Liu Yuechu scoffed.

Even the Great Qi's national treasury wouldn't dare to casually take out tens of thousands of taels of gold, so which mansion would have the guts to do so?

"I am young and weak, how dare I mention valuable items to other households? Such an important matter needs my uncles to handle."

“Your fourth uncle and I are indeed worried about you working so hard. It’s true that rice shops and grocery stores are rough jobs, and it’s not very appropriate for a young lady like you to be doing them.”

"So the two of us discussed it and decided that you should manage the business. After all, antiques and calligraphy are more refined and would suit a clever girl like you. Besides, you're going to choose a husband on the second day of the second lunar month. We don't want the shares in the business anymore; they'll all go as your dowry. You can give up half of the shares in the rice shop and the general store, and your fourth uncle and I will manage them."

First, they said a painting from a merchant house was worth ten thousand taels of gold, then they exchanged it for half the shares of a rice shop or general store? It's as if they gave away so much wealth that she should be grateful.

Liu Yuechu sighed with admiration. Even before they got any fur, they were more cunning than monkeys. If it weren't for the roof of the main hall of the Liu family blocking their way, the two of them could have climbed a tree.

“I am very grateful for your kindness, but one thing at a time. Before exchanging shares, why not make up for the debt first? Otherwise, if I change the shares without saying a word, I will not be able to explain it to the princess.”

"..."

A moment of silence fell over the table. Liu Chen and Liu Shang exchanged a glance and began to eat. They had long forgotten about the IOU, but they didn't expect Liu Yuechu to still be thinking about it.

They had somewhat underestimated their little niece. The two exchanged glances, pondering how to respond.

Liu Yuechu didn't press the issue further. She intended to address each matter one by one, simply refuting the accusations with words.

She let it go, but Liu Musheng was not happy about it. "Why don't you two uncles say anything? You have to give me a deadline for repaying the money. I want to marry a noble lady, and the dowry has to be generous. I don't have enough money right now. Don't delay my marriage."

He set his sights on the daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, and was furious at his own ambition.

Because in terms of official rank, the Liu family is inferior;

In terms of academic knowledge, Liu Musheng was only a student of the lowest level.

In terms of assets, does the Ministry of Revenue lack your family's two coins?

Liu Musheng had been racking his brains these past few days, unable to find a single redeeming quality in himself. And now, someone wanted to take a piece of his flesh? Not even his uncle, let alone his own father.

Liu Chen was so angry that his eyes turned green. Liu Yuechu was already difficult to deal with, how could there be another reckless person like him?

"What's with that ten thousand taels IOU? Don't you two know the truth? You want twenty taels for four taels of grain a bushel? I could take this to court and sue you for fraud!"

"Where is the fraud? Did you eat chaff instead of rice?" People are influenced by their surroundings. Recently, Liu Musheng has been associating with spoiled young masters, with Pei Chun at the head. He speaks more aggressively than before.

Liu Chen was trembling with anger. He hadn't gotten any benefits, and now he was being asked to pay back the money? He wished he hadn't eaten this New Year's Eve dinner.

The situation reached an awkward stalemate, and Grandmother stepped in again, tapping the bowl to signal everyone to shut up.

All she wanted was for her family to be together on New Year's Eve, but she didn't expect that the mention of money would lead to an argument, and she couldn't even pretend to be deaf anymore.

With the old lady stepping in, no one bothered to leave.

The New Year's Eve dinner was eaten in utter silence, with only the crisp sound of bowls and chopsticks clattering together.

Finally, after getting through New Year's Eve, Liu Yuechu saw off the people from the third and fourth branches of the family. Liu Muchi quietly approached her and said, "...The heir of the Marquis of Zhenning went to the Censorate to file a complaint. The eldest son of the Li family has been imprisoned for assaulting an official of the court and maliciously framing someone."

After he returned today, he sent his servants to keep an eye on things.

Just now, during dinner, a servant came to report. But he didn't tell Liu Yuechu immediately, lest others overhear.

Liu Yuechu looked at him; he was indeed very perceptive. But as for the affairs of the Li and Wei families, she only wanted to remain an observer; as long as she wasn't dragged into it, she didn't care what happened.

"Summon Yuechan to my courtyard for a separate meal. The meal we just had was very heartwarming." According to the old lady's rules, children born out of wedlock are not allowed to attend the main banquet, so Liu Muchi and his sister were unable to attend.

Liu Muchi smiled and agreed, then went back to summon his younger sister.

The courtyard was filled with joy and laughter among the master and servants. Liu Yuechu watched the maids set off fireworks and, unusually, drank two cups of wine.

At this time, Wei Gongming was also drinking, and he was drinking heartily and unrestrainedly.

He finally got a chance to turn things around, and it wasn't something he asked for; it was a godsend.

He knew that in his previous life, Li Chengyue had been promoted in name only and banished from the capital, which he guessed was because he had offended the Third Prince. But these were all his assumptions, and he didn't know the specific reasons.

But none of that matters. He just needs to know that someone wants to get rid of Li Chengyue. As long as he goes to the Censorate and lays Li Chengyue's crimes on the table, those who want to get rid of Li Chengyue will naturally step forward.

Wei Gongming's calculations were correct. He had just gone to the Censorate to accuse Li Chengyue of knowingly breaking the law and committing violence in the street when the Third Prince sent someone to find him.

He didn't tend to his wounds, not even wipe away the blood. Like a mad dog, he stared at the person he had bitten in his past life, "The Zhenning Marquis's Mansion has rendered meritorious service to the Great Qi. Even if my brother made a mistake because of my uncle, I shouldn't be insulted like this."

He adopted a stance of fighting to the bitter end, and the Third Prince comforted him with a few words of satisfaction, then rewarded him with two jars of fine wine to calm his nerves.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the imperial edict was announced in the court.

Li Chengyue committed a violent crime in the street, which is unforgivable. He was dismissed from his post and investigated. Li Shilang was found to have failed to properly supervise his son, so he was fined half a year's salary and stripped of all his positions as the chief examiner of the spring imperial examination.

Upon hearing the result, Liu Yuechu couldn't help but sigh. What seemed like a simple matter immediately became complicated once the word "official" was involved.

"Guess who took Li Chengyue's place?" Liu Muchi is now Liu Yuechu's informant.

Seeing his expression, Liu Yuechu's heart tightened. "It can't be..."

"Yes."

Liu Yuechu didn't know whether to be happy or worried; it was actually Wei Gongming?

"Li Shu really... lost miserably."

She pitied and admired Wei Gongming, but Wei Gongming took away her elder brother's position and even dragged her father off his horse.

Liu Yuechu suddenly realized that Wei Gongming in this life might be more ruthless and cunning, because he was someone who had weathered many storms in the officialdom in his previous life.

Moreover, she realized that if Wei Gongming became the county magistrate, he would be in charge of all matters, big and small, in the capital, including taxation and shops. Wouldn't they inevitably have to cross paths?

The thought had barely formed in her mind when Uncle Chun at the door reported, "Master, the heir of the Marquis of Zhenning is requesting an audience at the door."

……

Wei Gongming stood outside the Liu family's gate, full of pride and self-satisfaction, even though the bruises on his face had not yet faded.

He just reported to the county government office and will officially take office tomorrow. He was also invited to a banquet by Qin Yongshang, an advisor to the Third Prince, along with the county magistrate and several colleagues from the Ministry of Personnel.

He should have gone home to prepare properly, but for some reason, he really wanted to see Liu Yuechu.

He wanted to see the look of admiration in her eyes, and he wanted to see if she would still dare to send only a maid to fob him off once she knew he was now the Assistant Magistrate of the Capital.

Since his rebirth, he has never met her in a formal setting. In his previous life, he entered and exited the Liu family's gate at least twice a day, a thousand times a year, and forty thousand times in forty years.

Should he start counting again from Jinshi onwards? He thought of the hibiscus tree on the right-hand side after entering the room, which he really disliked.

In his past life, he wanted to remove it, but Liu Yuechu always disagreed. However, he still ordered it to be removed.

He will keep it as long as she likes it.

The gate opened.

The gatekeeper came out and said, "Our master is out and not home. Please come another day."